Silage-cover.



W. H. TINDALL'& J. E. VAN DAM.

SlLAGE COVER.

APPUCATION FILED OCT. 11, 1916.

LMYIM Patented Jan. 29,1918.

ATTOR N EY -11 Wmltgli WILLIAM H. TINDALL, F BARKER CREEK, AND JOHN E. VAN DAM, 0F TRAVERSE CITY, MICHIGAN.

SILAGE-COVER.

1.25 1, West.

Application filed October 11, 1916.

To aZZ whom itmay concern:

Be it known that we, \VILLIAM H. TINDALL and JOHN E. VAN DAM, citizens of the United States, residing at Barker Creek. and Traverse City, respectively, in the counties of Kalkaska and Grand Traverse and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Silage-Covers, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to silo attachments, and particularly to covers for the silage to prevent the latter from being frozen in cold weather.

The invention aims primarily to provide a cover which is of simple construction and which is constructed and arranged in such manner as to permit of its adaptability to silos of various sizes and constructions. A further object is to provide a cover which completely incloses the top of the silage so as to form a substantially air tight compartment for the silage and which may be readily raised from the silage when required. A still further object is to provide a cover of this character which is capable of being collapsed and removed from the silo when it is desired to fill the latter.

With these objects in view, together with others which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the novel formation, combination, and arrangement of parts all as will be described more fully hereinafter, illustrated in the drawings, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings Figure 1 is a longitudinal sectional view taken through a conventional form of silo, and illustrating the practlcal application of the cover embodying the invention;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cover and its supporting ring;

Fig. 3 is a detail view illustrating the manner of connecting the ends of the ex pansible supporting ring; and

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken on line H of Fig. 3.

Referring now to the drawings, 5 inclicates the improved supporting ring used in carrying out the invention, the said ring being formed of a number of sections each comprising an arcuate metallic strip having elongated slots 6 in their ends. The slots at the adjacent ends of the overlapping ring sections are adapted to register and it is obvious that by passing bolts Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Jan. ea, 1.91%.

Serial No. 125,089.

through the registered slots and tightening the same, the ring sections will be maintained against movement relative to each other. To the ring 5 is connected a plurality of chains or ropes 7. These ropes may be secured to the various ring sections at one end, and connected at their opposite ends to a loop 8. This loop is connected to a pulley 9, over which passes a rope 10 secured to the roof portion of the silo at one end, and it passes over a block 11 fixed to the said roof, and thence downwardly and outwardly over a pulley 12 to the exterior of the silo as shown. A cleat 13 may be secured to the exterior of the silo wall in a position convenient to the reach of the operator. From this construction, it is apparent that the ring 5 may by operating the rope 10, be raised or lowered within the silo. By the slot construction at the ends of the sections, it will also be observed that the ring may have its diameter increased or diminished. according to the diameter of the silo with which the device is to be used.

The bolts 14: which connect the slotted ends of the ring sections, also secure bracket members 15 to the ring. These brackets are constructed preferably of metallic plates bent into U-shape, and the said bolts bind one leg of the U-shaped bracket to the overlapping ends of the adjacent ring sections. Each bracket 15 is substantially wider than the thickness of the ring sections, and the said brackets project inwardly from the ring.

The cover proper comprises a plurality of hoop sections formed of metal strips, and are indicated at 16. These hoop sections are curved longitudinally so as to form a circular frame when placed together end to 9 end. Each hoop section carries a fabric 17, the various fabrics extending inwardly from their respective sections and are preferably of such dimension as to overlap the edges of the next adjacent fabrics. The fabrics carried by the various section r so h d a to provide a filler for the hoop, the fabric being adapted to rest upon the silage.

The extremities of the hoop sections 16 are adapted to rest in the brackets 15 secured to the outer ring. When in this position, the frame 16 will be held securely to the ring, and vertical movement of the latter will operate to correspondingly move the cover. By making the fabric sections 17 of such dimension as will permit of their overlapping ordinarily, the diameter of the cover maybe increased to enable the device to be adapted to silos of larger diameters. In operation, the ring 5 is arranged within the silo in the manner above detailed. The cover is then adjusted to the ring 5 by resting the hoopsections 16 in the brackets 15 carried by the said ring 5. The fabric 17 thus forms a cover for the frame, the said cover being of practically the same diameter as the interior of the silo. After the silo has been filled, the rope 10 is loosened so that the ring 5 drops The cover carried by the frame thus incloses the upper part of the silage, and prevents frost and'air currents gaining access to the same. When the silo is empty and it is desired to fill the same, the cover is removed from the ring 5, and it is obvious that by folding the same, the cover may be taken from the silo. The rope 10 is then pulled and the ring 5 drawn to the top of the silo, and there maintained until after the same has been filled.

While the present is a disclosure of the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but that. various changes may be made in the construction, arrangement and proportion of parts, without departing from the spirit of the invention, or exceeding the scope of the claims.

IVhat is claimed is 1. In a silage cover, a sectional frame adapted to be placed within a silo, and a fabric secured to each of said sections and the various fabrics being adapted to meet.

2. In a silage cover, a sectional frame adapted to beplaced 111 a $110, a fabric secured to each of said sections, the said sections and fabrics being adapted to be collapsed, and means for raising or lowering said cover within said silo.

3. In a silage cover, a ring adapted for insertion in the silo, a frame arranged in said silo and adapted to move inwardly and outwardly thereof, and means on said ring for supporting said frame.

4. In a silage cover, a cover frame, an expansible ring arranged within a silo and capable of moving inwardly and outwardly thereof, brackets on said ring for supporting said frame, and means for moving said ring.

5. In a silage cover, a cover frame, a ring arranged within a silo and capable of being moved inwardly and outwardly thereof, the said ring and frame being formed in sections, so as to be able to be expanded or contracted, brackets on said ring for supporting said frame, and means for moving said ring.

6. In a silage cover, a ring formed of a plurality of sections having slots in their extremities, bolts for securing said sections together, brackets secured to said ring and extending inwardly thereof, and a cover frame resting in said brackets.

7. In a silage cover, a ring, brackets carried by said ring, an expansible cover, the said cover including a plurality of arcuate rim sections, the said sections being adapted to rest in said brackets, and means for moving said ring within said silo.

in testimony whereof we aflix our signatures in presence of two witnesses.

"WILLIAM H. TINDALL. JOHN E. VAN DAM.

Witnesses:

Loa C. ARMSTRONG, J. D. ARMSTRONG.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

